BYD China sets eyes on Europe and US with electric bus K9

China’s battery and electric vehicle company – BYD Co. Ltd is all set to set up a plant in California in 2013 from where they will…

China’s battery and electric vehicle company – BYD Co. Ltd is all set to set up a plant in California in 2013 from where they will be producing all electric buses. The exact location is yet to be announced but the Warren Buffett backed company will set the plant in motion during the coming year with a capacity to produce between 50 to 100 all electric buses by 2014. Production capacity will exceed 500 K9 electric buses by 2015.

Managerial and other position at the California plant will involve local residents though some parts and production lines will come from China. BYD K9 all electric buses have already passed road tests and are expected to come in with a price tag of $550,000 (Rs 3.01 crores) to $600,000 each. Once they enter US markets, they will be first used by Apple Inc’s HQ in Cupertino, California, LA International Airport and Stanford University.

These all electric buses measure 472.4 inches in length, 100.4 inches in width and stand 126 inches in height. They can contain 27 regular passenger seats and 4 foldable seats. The buses will be powered by electric motors that permit top speed of 100 kmph and a drive range of upto 155 miles. Battery can be charged through an electric outlet in 6 hours or through a fast charging unit in 3 hours. These buses will also be fitted with a specially designed solar roof so that vehicle battery can be charged while on the go.

A first drive in a manual rickety old van was enough to pave the road forward for Managing Editor, Sagar Patel. When not driving or riding, his dexterity shifts gear to voice passion through words via reviews, and news, all the while, closely monitoring updates from the auto industry.